Air New Zealand Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKP positioned Auckland – Wellington this morning as NZ6691 to show off its new Hobbit livery and to drop off the cast and crew for the Hobbit movie premiere. The aircraft positioned Wellington – Auckland during the afternoon as NZ6692.

Air New Zealand A320 ZK-OJE positioned Auckland – Christchurch this morning as NZ6003 in order to operate NZ891 Christchurch – Melbourne. However due to weather at Melbourne this aircraft diverted to Sydney and then positioned Sydney – Auckland as NZ6007. NZ890 Melbourne – Christchurch was cancelled.

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKP, which has been under maintenance at Auckland since 13th November, returned to traffic today operating NZ2 Auckland – Los Angeles – London Heathrow wearing new “The Hobbit” decals and with a black tail.

Air New Zealand Boeing 777-219ER positioned Hong Kong – Rockhampton this morning after arriving into Hong Kong as NZ85 from Auckland (depart Auckland 21st November). The aircraft then operated a Rockhampton – Singapore military charter as NZ1963 and will position Singapore – Hong Kong in the early hours of tomorrow morning as NZ6066.

Air New Zealand will cease services on the Hong Kong – London Heathrow route from 4th March 2013. Effective on this date will be a new codeshare service on Cathay Pacific flights on the route. Reciprocal frequent flyer and lounge access between the two airlines’ frequent flyers members will be in place at London Heathrow, Hong Kong and Auckland.

The removal of the service will free up Boeing 777-200ERs for additional New Zealand – North America services.

There is no news yet on who will take the freed up slots at London Heathrow.

Air New Zealand A320 ZK-OJE, which has been under maintenance at Christchurch since 20th October, positioned Christchurch – Wellington this afternoon as NZ6002 and re-entered service operating NZ Wellington – Melbourne.